Montoya tops the speed charts

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 26: Juan Pablo Montoya drives the #42 Target Chevrolet during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samuel Deeds 400 At The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Something about Indianapolis Motor Speedway seems to bring out the best in Juan Pablo Montoya.

In Friday’s lone NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session, Montoya topped the speed chart at 185.410 mph, more than a full mile-per-hour faster than the 184.347 mph posted by Kurt Busch, who was second quickest.

Montoya, the 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner, led 116 of 160 laps in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Brickyard, only to be done in by a pit road speeding penalty. Friday’s practice session suggests that Montoya may be ready to make another competitive run at his first NASCAR win on a track that’s not a road course.

Behind Montoya and Busch in practice were Austin Dillon, 2011 Brickyard winner Paul Menard and Kasey Kahne, as Chevrolet drivers posted the five quickest laps in preparation for Sunday’s race. A two-hour final NASCAR Sprint Cup practice is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET Saturday, with qualifying set for 2:10 p.m.